Errors of Judgement

Extended Summary: AU. Non-magical. Now a freshman at Hogwarts University, Lily discovers that the price for blindly perpetuating the age-old rivalry between the Malfoys and the Potters is very high indeed. When Hugo's misguided attempts to join the 'in' crowd at Hogwarts University leave him at the mercy of one Scorpius Malfoy, Lily has no choice but to step in and rescue her wayward cousin.

Pairing: Scorpius Malfoy X Lily Luna Potter

Rating: M for mature themes and some dub-con.

For those who follow my work, you know this is not my usual cup of tea. I had to get out of my comfort zone for this. This chapter involved long conversations and at least ten thousand pep talks from my friend Freya Ishtar whose work I admire tremendously. I'm bowled over by the sheer talent she displays every single time she puts up a story. Freya, thank you, for your input and the hand-holding on this fic.

This is also the result of many, many conversations with my beta and dear friend, aclockworkat, who is constantly pushing me to be better, who laboriously spots the typos, the weird tense transitions, the sometimes wacked-out syntax inherent in a lot of my hastily put together stuff. Thanks, Cat, and i know I surprised you with this one, but I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Errors of Judgement

Chapter 1: The Mistake

The sound of someone slamming their fist repeatedly into her door startled Lily out of a peaceful slumber born of the fact that her research work for next day's classes was complete and her belly was full. She grunted slightly as she emerged from the sea of bedclothes wedged between the wall and her bed. She rolled her eyes as she spotted the wall not two inches away from her nose. Probably fell off the bed again. The banging resumed with renewed vigour. Cursing under her breath, she managed to extricate herself from the blankets on the floor with great difficulty.

"I'm coming. I'm coming!" Lily made her way through the tiny, matchbox apartment she shared with Dominique. She roughly turned the bolt and unlocked half a dozen locks that a paranoid Dominique had installed before they'd moved in. She grabbed a baseball bat and roughly pulled the door open to find Hugo with his fist raised, ready to throw himself against the door again. She stared at him incredulously. "It's three in the morning, Hugo!"

Hugo didn't bother responding. He pushed past his cousin and shut the door, quickly doing up all the locks and shoving the bolt back in place. Lily simply stood there, baseball bat still in her hands. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Hugo cross over to the window and stick his neck out so he could see the whole street. Apparently satisfied with what he'd seen, Hugo pulled his head back inside, shut the window and drew the curtains. He sat down on the sofa and slowly let his head drop in his hands.

Lily's eyebrow twitched irritably. She set the bat back in the umbrella stand and walked up to Hugo. Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared at him. "You mind telling me just what the fuck is going on? You woke me up in the middle of the night Hugo. And now you're sitting here like your cat died. What the hell?"

Hugo rubbed a hand over his face, not daring to look up at Lily. He didn't want to tell her anything. The ensuing verbal harangue he'd have to endure would be painful, but he had no choice. There was nobody else he could go to. Albus would respond in kind but that would just make things worse and besides, Albus wouldn't be around all the time. What if they found him someday when he was alone? What then? James would tell him to man up and accept responsibility for what he'd done. Rose would tattle to their parents, which would probably fix the whole thing but defeat the purpose of coming to college, besides he wasn't a kid any more. He was eighteen years old, a freshman just like Lily, only he obviously didn't have his shit together. He didn't feel comfortable taking his problems to his other cousins. They weren't as close and were far more liable to laugh at him for his blunder.

He glanced up at Lily. Nope, Lily was the only one he could count upon. Besides, she genuinely cared for him. He knew she would scream and shout, maybe even sock him in the jaw but she would see him through this mess.

"Lil, I've made a terrible mistake."

X

Lily took a deep breath as she surveyed the grassy compound directly in front of Slytherin Hall. Rolling her eyes, she glanced up at the blue sky and wondered for the hundredth time why on earth was she even attempting something that could easily be described as the equivalent of taking an axe and lopping her foot off. She glanced back towards the sun-soaked café beside Gryffindor House and groaned. She could be sitting there, enjoying a frappe and listening to Lysander Scamander's dreamy voice. But no, it was her lot to stand here, waiting for an opportune moment when she could cross the quadrilateral compound and enter Slytherin Hall without making anybody in her rabidly Gryffindor family suspicious. She pursed her lips as she thought about the fiasco Hugo had landed himself in.

Damn it Hugo! There were better ways of spending one's time than hoping that the cool clique would magically open its doors to you. Besides, why did he need them anyway? He was Hugo Granger-Weasley…. and her face fell. Yes, he was Hugo Granger-Weasley, the dumbest smart person she knew. But he was her Hugo, and she would be damned before she let some stuck-up, arrogant, smarmy, egoistical, narcissistic arsehole blackmail him like this. So she squared her shoulders, sneaked a glance to the café. Sure enough, Albus was making some poor freshman miserable, Dominique and Roxanne egging him on. Rose was lecturing Lorcan, honestly did the girl not spare even her boyfriend? And Hugo was quietly sipping his tea and studiously not looking in her direction, as she'd told him to. Good boy. So he could do as he was told. They were all busy now. Nobody would notice her absence as long as the poor bloke Albus was ribbing was providing them suitable entertainment.

Lily turned her attention to Slytherin Hall. This was it. Now or never. She could do this. She grimaced as she looked up at the intimidating building housing the Slytherins. Shaking her head, she quickly pulled her hoodie up, hiding her telltale fiery hair, shoved her hands in her pockets and began to amble in what she hoped was a nonchalant pace, towards Slytherin Hall. She had to act like she belonged or they'd shove her out the door before she even found that sneaky git.

She ran up the stone steps casually and stepped aside for a couple of girls that emerged from within the stone building. She ducked her head as she recognised them. It was never a good thing to encounter Mercedes Dolohov and Callista Warrington first thing in the morning. They didn't notice her, which was just as well. Lily nimbly stepped through the door, wincing as it locked loudly behind her. Great. Had she thought of perhaps procuring the password before she entered, no of course she hadn't. She rolled her eyes, hoping that it would all sort out, and perhaps when this whole confusion was worked out then the Slytherins would be gracious enough to escort her out safe and sound. She let loose the breath she'd been holding. Right, that would happen.

Lily glanced down the hall. Even though it was bright and sunny outside, it seemed as though little of that light made its way inside. The hallways were dark save for spotlighting on artefacts and treasures placed at strategic locations along the hall. The walls were panelled with dark wood; the carpet on the floor was a deep forest green. Her feet seemed to sink into it. She lowered her hood. The Slytherins definitely didn't lack for anything. This place was infinitely more luxurious than her dingy apartment. Being a legacy really paid off. Lily shrugged and strode down the corridor curving to the left. She didn't really have an idea of where she'd find Scorpius Malfoy but well, she had to start somewhere.

She frowned as the corridor ended with stairs going up on both sides. Biting her lip, she decided to stick to the left. And began to climb the stairs; the first landing houses freshmen. She recognised a few boys from her Anatomy class. Judging from this, she climbed two more floors and stopped at the third landing. All the doors were shut. She was about to go knock on the first door, when the door behind her opened and someone stepped out. Lily whirled about and winced as she recognised the boy standing before her.

Tristan Zabini was one of those unpleasant, snooty types that never failed to make you feel less than human because your family hadn't been coming to Hogwarts for the past six hundred years or some such nonsense. He hadn't noticed her presence yet or she would have been regaled with some version of a snooty, condescending comment on how she shouldn't be standing in the hallowed premises made sacred by centuries of aristocratic bottoms sitting here. She was about to call out to him when a steely grip clamped around her arm and pulled her violently out of the corridor.

Her feet skid as she toppled head first into a dorm room. She flung her arms out so she wouldn't land on her face. She heard the click of the door about a second before somebody grabbed the back of her hoodie and hoisted her back up before she hit the floor. Seconds later, her back was against the wall and steely grey eyes held her immobile.

"Stupid, Potter. Incredibly stupid of you to come here." His breath washed over her neck and she felt horrified as goosebumps erupted all over her arms and neck.

Her fists shook as she realized that what had started as goosebumps was transforming into something far worse, something so horrible she should not even imagine it. She clamped her thighs together as unfamiliar and entirely unwanted warmth began to pool around her core. She dropped her eyes, fixing them to the floor. Oh honestly, she lived on a campus filled with gorgeous men and now was when her bits decided to wake up?

"What? No come back?" He smirked. "I'm disappointed Potter. At the very least, I expected a threat to cut off my balls with a blunt knife by now." She squirmed, trying to break his hold on her arms. Scorpius merely stepped closer, pressing his knee against her leg. "Or maybe, you don't mind being fenced in like this, by me." He whispered hotly into her ear, his lips touching the sensitive curve of her ear.

Lily pursed her lips and brought her foot down hard on his. Shoving him back, she swept her bangs out of her face and sneered back at him, "Don't flatter yourself. You make me sick."

Scorpius merely raised an eyebrow. "Do I?"

Lily chose not to answer that in the light of her body's inexplicable signals. She stepped away, towards the door. "Look, the only reason I'm here is for Hugo."

His eyes closed off almost immediately. She could tell when the icy exterior slipped back into place. "Come to clean up his mess, have you? How convenient."

"It's not like that. Look, he didn't know what they were planning. When he realized, he left….immediately."

"No. He didn't." He replied icily. "He didn't leave immediately. He left only after he had witnessed for himself what they did." He scoffed. "He remained until he saw them desecrate the memorial built for my grandparents. He only ran when it became obvious that he would not get away with it." His voice shook with barely concealed anger and his eyes flashed dangerously. Lily took a step back.

She took a deep breath, understanding that she would have to tread softly. "I know you're angry Malfoy, and you have every right to be as well, but Hugo…if you send this to the Dean, Hugo will be expelled. His life will be over."

He smirked. "You say that like it should mean something to me." He perched on the edge of the desk and slowly ran his eyes over her frame, casually lingering in certain places. Keeping his gaze fixed on her, he drawled carelessly, "I honestly don't care what happens to him. I say he deserves it."

His words jarred in her mind and she shook herself free of the strange stupor his words had been putting her under. "Don't just say that like its nothing! This is about Hugo's entire life! Everything he's been working for, everything he's ever dreamed of! You would finish that in one moment because you hold something over him." She took a deep breath. "You can't do this. You can't. Hugo has waited for this his entire life. He's never put one toe out of line; he's always done the right thing. He made one mistake Malfoy. Don't punish him for it."

"Oh?" Scorpius looked at her craftily, lips curving in a ruthless, cruel smile. "Who should I punish then? Because you see Potter, my feelings have been hurt. My emotions have been tampered with. Surely someone needs to pay. Someone needs to make sure that I am compensated for what I have lost." He circled her, stepping closer and closer till she felt the warmth of his body floating in the air around her body. She sucked a breath in; suddenly afraid of what was going on. He was doing what was probably natural to him. He didn't have the reputation of being a horny bastard for nothing. But why was she letting it affect her so?

She almost jumped out of her skin as his fingers trailed over her hoodie, rising from the curve of her waist and moving round her back, resting and leaving off just where the band of her bra dug into her skin.

"What are you doing?" She squeaked, cursing herself once again as her voice displayed nervousness instead of indignation.

Scorpius blinked back at her innocently. "Nothing. I haven't done anything yet Potter."

Lily pulled her spine straight and dug her fingers into her jeans pocket. Pulling out a thin rectangular piece of paper, she glanced at him. "Hugo doesn't think things through but he means well. He truly had no idea what they were planning." She shrugged. "I just…wanted to apologise to you for what happened. I hope you can let this go."

Scorpius laughed mirthlessly. "And what are you willing to do to convince me?"

Lily shifted her feet. "I'm sorry Malfoy."

Scorpius waved his hand in the air. "Yeah yeah I heard you. You're sorry. So what? Does that make everything better?"

Her temper flared as her repeated attempts to apologise were stonewalled. Lily Potter did not apologise. Lily Potter certainly did not apologise for something she hadn't done and when such a monumental event did come to pass, whoever she was apologising to had better graciously accept it or get ready to face her wrath. "What the fuck do you want me to say Malfoy? Jesus Christ, he made a mistake. He messed up. Can you get over yourself and forget about it already? What is it that you want?"

Her voice died in her throat as she caught his eye. His eyes were simmering with barely-controlled fury and his lips were pursed in a thin line.

"Let me remind you Potter, that I hold your precious cousin's future in my hands. All I have to do is to call the Dean and tell him who was spotted vandalising the Malfoy Memorial and it's all over. I would suggest you rethink that tone and conduct yourself in a manner more fitting to someone who is beholden to me."

Lily shrunk back. Just like that, with a few words he made her aware of who she was dealing with. This was Scorpius Malfoy, the devil incarnate, the king of the snoots, sworn enemy of her brother. Albus used to say that if you were stuck in a boat in the middle of the ocean with a Malfoy and a rattlesnake, get rid of the Malfoy first. She recalled all the stories she'd heard about him, the limitless depravity he was capable of. Albus had almost been expelled when stories of his visit to a strip club surfaced during a varsity tournament. Dominique couldn't show her face for months after someone leaked a sex clip of her and her then boyfriend online during her sophomore year. All of it led back to Malfoy. No, there was really no love lost between Malfoy's clique and her family.

She looked away, trying to collect herself. "I understand." She pulled her spine straight and turned to him, holding out the cheque she'd pulled out of her pocket. "This should cover the damages to the memorial." Her hand trembled as he glared at the cheque before moving his gaze up her arm to her face and finally to her eyes.

"Are you….seriously offering me money?" He hissed. He left his perch on the desk and walked towards her. Lily felt a shiver race down her spine. He was getting closer. She backed into the wall and cursed the tiny space. She'd have thought Slytherin Hall would have larger rooms for all that they kept harping about how prestigious they were.

Scorpius smirked and shook his head. "I don't think you realize that I can buy your cousin and his whole family three times over and not have to consult my accountant before I do it. Money means nothing to me."

Lily sighed. Her shoulders drooped slightly but her anger returned anew. "Well, that's just splendid isn't it? I'm trying to sort this out Malfoy, so we can all get on with our lives and I don't have to stick around here any longer than absolutely necessary." Her eyes opened wide as he stepped closer to her, boxing her in against the wall. He placed his hands on either side of her head.

"I'm afraid I can't make things so simple for you, Potter."

"What is your problem? Just take the money alright! It's for the damage to the memorial."

Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "Such words from the daughter of the great Harry Potter. What would your father say if he could hear you now?" He smirked. "I thought you Potters were above and beyond offering money as a solution to problems."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Well I don't see you offering any solutions Malfoy. If it's that much of a problem, why don't you just tell me what you want?"

He smiled slyly, a smug look creeping into his eyes and Lily realized belatedly that she had just played into his hands. "Finally getting somewhere, Potter."

She didn't dare respond for fear of compounding the mess she'd talked herself into.

"Cat got your tongue?" Scorpius whispered against her ear. Lily clenched her fists. She swallowed thickly, certain that whatever he asked for wouldn't be easy for her to give.

"What do you want?" She asked quietly, ignoring the hungry way he stared at her.

Scorpius smirked. He took in her large hazel eyes, fiery hair that changed hue with the light, the creamy skin and the promise of supple curves that was presently hidden under the bulky hoodie she wore.

Flicking his gaze downward, he licked his lips. "It should be obvious."

"Well, it isn't." She bit back.

He sighed dramatically. "Must I spell everything out for you?" He smirked. "Fine. I want you."

"What?" Her voice came out as a strangled gasp.

"I want you, warm and willing, for one night." He replied huskily. Lily stared at him in shock before coming to her senses. Scowling crossly at him, she pushed him away and took the two steps that landed her in the middle of the room.

"How could you even ask me something like that? That's disgusting!" She raged. "You ….you really are everything Albus said you were. You're completely depraved, you have no comprehension of common decency and you're…."

"Going to get what I want." He laughed as the blood drained from Lily's face. "Face it sweetheart. The mere fact that you're still here and haven't lunged for my face screaming bloody murder tells me you'll do it."

"You're wrong. I'm not some whore! You can't ask something like that of me. You can't." She replied dejectedly.

Scorpius shrugged carelessly. "Okay. Don't do it. But remember, whatever happens now, will be your doing." He strode over to his desk and picked up a memory drive. "I have no choice but to give this to the Dean. You could have stopped me, but I guess you'll just have to tell dear Hugo that you tried and failed." He watched smugly as she stared at the floor in horror. Her breathing was laboured, her chest heaved. She covered her mouth with her hand, eyes beginning to tear up.

She looked up. "Please don't do this."

Scorpius merely stared back at her. Lily looked around the room as though something would give her an idea to get out of this mess. The room seemed to swim before her eyes and she bit her lip, trying to find her bearings. She sank into a chair, clenching and unclenching her fists. Finally she looked at him, "If…if I do this, hypothetically, will you drop this incident?"

Scorpius smiled at her and approached her slowly. He knelt before her and placed his hand on her knee. "It'll be like it never happened."

Lily ran her hand over her face. Scorpius dragged his teeth over his lower lip as he watched her. "Alright, tell you what. You are really not in any state to make any sort of decision right now, so….I'll give you three days to make up your mind. If you decide to comply, I will have the investigation stopped."

Lily froze. "And if I don't?"

He smirked in response. "Then you can be assured that Hugo Weasley will certainly be expelled before the week is out. I will personally see to it."

"That's no choice at all."

"Smart girl."

Lily continued to stare at the floor. A sudden thought struck her and she looked at him, "What about Mercedes?"

Scorpius frowned. "What about her?"

Lily drew back. "I thought you were dating."

Scorpius shrugged. "We are. So?"

Lily gaped at him. "You have a girlfriend Scorpius." She said almost accusingly. She couldn't believe him. He acted as though it was no big deal that he was sitting here, propositioning her while he was in a committed relationship. What sort of degenerate was he anyway?

Scorpius looked contemplative. He reached up and curled his finger around a lock of her hair. "She's nothing like you."

"But…"

"No one has to know. Its not like I'm going to be shouting it off the rooftops. This stays between you and me. Nobody will ever know." He slowly ran his fingers along her calf. Lily stood and backed away.

"That's not fair Malfoy."

"Who said anything about being fair?" He chuckled. Lily pushed past him and yanked the door open. "Oh and Potter, let's keep our little deal amongst ourselves shall we? I wouldn't want poor Hugo to suffer because your idiot brother or cousins offended me in some way."

"You're despicable." She rushed from the room, the sound of his amused laughter following her down the hall.

X